One of the best ways to build a customer base for your pet care business is to partner with one of the many apps on the market. Choosing the best option for you might feel overwhelming, though.
Rover.com is among the most popular services today, matching pet owners with qualified pet care professionals like yourself. But, is it the right fit for your business?
We’re here to help you decide with this comprehensive Rover review. We’ll cover all of the essential info, including app alternatives, pros and cons, how Rover works, whether it offers a good experience for pet business pros like you, and much more.
What Is Rover?
Rover is an online booking service that connects pet owners with pet care providers for sitting and walking. It serves as a go-between for customers and clients, facilitating communication, scheduling, and payments.
You can offer several services through Rover, including:
- Pet boarding
- Dog walking
- Doggy daycare
- House-sitting (pet-sitting)
- Drop-in visits
All dog walkers and sitters must pass a background check before filling out a detailed profile. Once you complete the process, your business is listed for local pet owners to find.
Pros & Cons of Using Rover for Pet Business Owners
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Free caregiver account | Rover takes a 20% commission from all caregiver bookings |
| Rover Guarantee may reimburse pet owners and caregivers in the event of an accident | Rover Guarantee only responds after all other payment options are exhausted |
| 24/7 Rover Support | Incidents must be reported to Rover within 7 days |
| Clients find you through local searches | You have to wait for customers to come to you |
| Meet and greets before booking | You must pay a fee for your background check |
| Helps build and maintain a client base | Fewer opportunities for on-demand walks vs Wag |
| Built-in scheduling tools | 5-10 day approval process before you can schedule bookings |
| Set your own prices | You may need to lower pricing to compete in the market |
| Select size, age, and pet preferences | Specific preferences can limit your client base |
| Choose your hours and availability | Open availability does not guarantee jobs |
Best Alternatives to Rover
While Rover may be one of the most popular apps for pet sitters and walkers, other companies offer similar services. It’s important to review all of your options before making a decision.
Best for Pet Sitters
Holidog offers dog walking, 30-minute drop-ins, pet sitting in the client’s home, and in-home boarding with caregivers. Providers can set their own rates and Holidog does not take a commission. Instead, customers pay a membership fee for the service.
Ideal for pet sitters, Holidog partners with over 117,000 host families where dogs and cats can stay when their families are away.
Pros:
- Set your own rates
- No booking fees for providers
- Customers find you
- Offers similar service options to Rover
Cons:
- Limited nationwide coverage areas
- Only web-based, no app
- No pet protection unless customers pays an additional fee
- Smaller network than Rover
Best for Dog Walkers
Tailored specifically to dog walkers, Wag! serves over half a million customers across all 50 states. They offer on-demand dog walking services, catering to customer convenience and ease of use.
Caregivers can bid on clients, or Wag! will match you with pet parents. Dog walkers comparing Rover vs Wag tend to prefer Wag! over Rover due to the app’s on-demand service options.
Pros:
- Bid on clients or have Wag! match you with customers
- Free sign-up option
- On-demand jobs
- Convenient app
Cons:
- Takes 40% commission from all bookings
- Pro account costs $149 per year
- 14 business day approval time
- No liability protection for caregivers
Best for International Pet Pros
PetBacker is a marketplace that operates in 50 countries, making it an excellent option for international care providers. They offer a variety of services, including:
- Pet boarding
- Pet taxi
- Dog walking
- Pet grooming
- Pet sitting
- Pet daycare
- Pet training
Similar to Rover, clients can search their area for the services they need by browsing caretaker-created profiles.
Pros:
- Zero sign-up fee
- Choose your own schedule and pricing
- Build a reputation through customer reviews
- Offers Premium Protection Coverage insurance at no extra cost
Cons:
- 15-25% service fee for all bookings
- Financial penalties for booking with customers off-platform
- PetBacker caps veterinary care at $1,000 after a $350 deductible
- Lengthy verification process
Rover Reviews: How It Works for Pet Care Businesses
Let’s break down all of the ins and outs of Rover so you can make the right decision for your business!
How to Join Rover.com
If you want to become a pet care provider for Rover, you can start the process by creating an account and answering some basic questions about the services you want to offer. From there, you need to complete several steps:
- Set your service preferences and pricing
- Complete your profile with contact information, phone numbers, details, and a photo
- Request testimonials from a loved one or client to support your qualifications
- Complete a brief safety quiz
- Authorize and pay for a one-time background check
After you submit all of the required information, Rover will review your submission and contact you in about five business days to verify your account or ask for additional info. Once verified, you can begin booking clients.
Rules for Pet Business Owners on Rover
Rover’s Terms of Service (TOS) includes several rules for pet care providers. Some of the most important guidelines for the role include:
- Do not engage in discrimination of any kind
- Only accept requests you have the experience and knowledge to handle
- Keep all business and communication for
- Rover bookings on the site or app
- Maintain a safe environment for pets and closely follow pet parents’ instructions
- Be respectful of client property
- Get permission from pet parents before posting pictures
Failure to follow Rover’s rules for care providers could result in suspension, termination, or fees.
How Much It Costs to Use Rover
It’s free to set up your profile and list your services on Rover. However, new users need to pay for their initial background check, which costs $49. Rover also takes a 20% commission on all booked services.
How Much You Can Earn on Rover
How to Price Your Services and Set Rates on Rover
While it’s up to you how much you want to charge, it’s important to price your services competitively. Browse local listings to get a sense of other pet professionals’ prices.
Here are the average ranges for pet care services:
- Drop-in dog sitter: $15-25 per visit
- Overnight dog sitter: $40-60 per night
- Dog walker: $10-20 per walk
- Doggy daycare: $25-45 per day
- Boarding: $30-50 per day
How the Rover Guarantee Works for Pet Business Owners
The Rover Guarantee is a reimbursement policy that supports providers and pet parents in the event of an accident during a booking. It can cover vet care, property damage, and third-party medical expenses.
While it does provide some protection for pet business owners, the Rover Guarantee is not insurance. Providers and pet owners need to explore all other options to cover expenses before Rover will pay. This reimbursement program also has several exclusions that leave gaps in your coverage. Learn more about PCI’s Rover Insurance vs Guarantee comparison.
If you work with Rover, you need insurance designed specifically for pet sitters and dog walkers. This coverage protects your business, your clients, and the pets in your care. Accidents happen, but with Pet Care Insurance (PCI), you don’t have to deal with the financial fallout on your own.
How To Use Rover to Get Bookings
Rover is a great place to build your customer base and make connections. The key to attracting new clients is to make your profile stand out.
- Post a colorful picture of yourself. Smile! And include your own pets if you can.
- Add photos to your profile showcasing your services.
- Fill out every section of your profile, painting a picture of who you are and why you’re the right fit for the job.
- Be honest and realistic about your abilities, restrictions, and knowledge.
- If you have a background that makes you especially qualified — like experience as a vet tech or groomer — include that info.
- List any relevant certifications or education.
- Update your profile and calendar regularly to ensure your availability is accurate.
As you complete bookings, ask your customers to leave reviews to help reinforce the quality of your services.
Tips for Using Rover to Build Your Business
Working with Rover opens up some unique opportunities to promote and grow your business thanks to its online platform and built-in customer base. In addition to optimizing your profile, try these ideas for building your business on Rover:
- Respond to reviews. Always respond when customers leave you Rover reviews. If they’re positive, thank them for trusting you with their pets. If they’re negative, do your best to make it right.
- Research competitors. Before setting your prices or building your profile, browse other walkers and sitters in your area to see what services they offer, how much they charge, and what customers say about them.
- Generate referrals. Ask your satisfied customers to refer their friends and loved ones. Ask them to write reviews and testimonials about your service.
- Incentivize repeat customers. Offer discounts for repeat customers, particularly those who use your services regularly.
- Use social media. Promote your business by sharing your Rover profile on social media. Create social media accounts for your pet care business and join local groups where you can advertise.
- Expand your skill set. The more services you offer, the more likely you are to get jobs. Take a few courses in pet safety, senior pet needs, and medication administration, and include your certifications on your profile.
- Be available. Keep your schedule up-to-date and offer as much availability as possible to reach the maximum number of customers.
Rover Reviews: What People Using the App Have to Say
Pet sitters and dog walkers who use Rover have plenty to say about the company’s policies and app functionality.
Many users have overall positive experiences with Rover, citing useful tools like messaging, photo-sharing, and job flexibility:
Users who rate Rover at three stars express some frustration with the interface and the limitations of the app for scheduling or setting preferences:
Rover reviews with one or two stars include concerns about the 20% service fee on all bookings and issues with the app’s features and useability.
Is Rover Right for Your Business?
Rover is an excellent service for pet care providers who want to build their businesses and reach a wider customer base. While the company does take a percentage of all bookings, the app provides a network of job opportunities you may otherwise miss out on.
Also, keep in mind that you might not use it forever. Some providers report taking their businesses off-app once they build a reputation in their communities. This allows them to keep all of their booking fees and build closer relationships with clients.
If you’re just starting or trying to grow your existing business, Rover is an excellent tool. It also helps ease the process of scheduling customers and tracking appointments, which can justify the cost for many users.
Common Questions Pet Business Owners Have About Rover
Yes! Customers can leave Rover reviews and ratings for all of their booked appointments. This helps providers build their reputations and allows other customers to make educated decisions when looking for a walker or sitter.
Always respond to reviews promptly and politely. Never attack the reviewer or come off as defensive. Apologize for any issues or misunderstandings and thank the reviewer for taking the time to share their thoughts. Whenever possible, correct errors and take steps to demonstrate that the problem is resolved.
This shows other customers that you take your business seriously, and can hopefully turn a bad review into a positive one.
The Rover Guarantee offers limited protection for pet parents and service providers, covering vet expenses, medical bills, and property damage.
However, it is a reimbursement program, not insurance. The Rover Guarantee will not respond to claims until you’ve exhausted all other options, including pet care insurance and paying out of pocket.
Yes! Though insurance isn’t required by Rover, you need to protect yourself and your business before booking jobs. If you accidentally damage a pet parent’s property or an animal in your care is injured, you are financially responsible. Insurance absorbs some or all of these expenses.
That depends on what kind of services you offer. Wag! is tailored more toward dog walkers and on-demand jobs, while Rover tends to be better for pet sitter drop-ins and overnight stays. Both services have an app and take a percentage of booking fees. Read our Wag vs Rover review to learn more.
